Glenn Hoddle believes that Gareth Bale would have the "incentive" to stay at Tottenham Hotspur if he is given the captaincy.
The 23-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, poured doubt over his future by revealing his passion for the Champions League, which Spurs failed to qualify for last season.
"I would have a word with [current captain] Michael Dawson and give Bale the captaincy," the London Evening Standard quotes Hoddle as saying.
"Tottenham have had some wonderful captains over the years - Dave MacKay, Danny Blanchflower and, to give Bale the captaincy, is to put your hat on him.
"That would give him a lot of confidence, that little bit of added incentive, to see if he is a leader, if he can get even more out of himself."
Bale has been at White Hart Lane since 2007.
